Cootamundra New South Wales |
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The CBC bank building and post office on Wallendoon St
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Coordinates | 34°38′30″S 148°01′30″E / 34.64167°S 148.02500°ECoordinates: 34°38′30″S 148°01′30″E / 34.64167°S 148.02500°E | ||||||
Population | 5,579 (2011 census) | ||||||
Established | 1861 | ||||||
Postcode(s) | 2590 | ||||||
Elevation | 318 m (1,043 ft) | ||||||
Location | |||||||
LGA(s) | Gundagai Council | ||||||
County | Harden | ||||||
State electorate(s) | Cootamundra | ||||||
Federal Division(s) | Hume | ||||||
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Cootamundra is a town in the South West Slopes region of New South Wales, Australia and within the Riverina. It is within the Gundagai Council. At the 2011 census, Cootamundra had a population of 5,579. It is located on the Olympic Highway at the point where it crosses the Muttama Creek, between Junee and Cowra. Although it is bypassed by the Hume Highway, its railway station is on the Main Southern line, part of the Melbourne-to-Sydney line.
Cootamundra is the birthplace of Sir Donald Bradman AC, an Australian cricketer universally regarded as the greatest batsman of all time. The town features the Sir Donald Bradman Birthplace Museum, a fully restored visitors' site, the home where "The Don" was born, featuring cricketing memorabilia and artifacts.
Cootamundra is the home of the Cootamundra wattle. Every year there is a large 'Wattle Time' Festival held at the time the wattle starts to bloom, with an art show and festivities.
The earliest people to live in the area where present day Cootamundra exists are considered to be the tribe of Wiradjuri, with the name probably deriving from their word guudhamang for "turtle".
Cootamundra was incorporated as a township on 9 August 1861, and the first settlers bought their lots in early 1862. Like many other towns in the Riverina, it was originally populated by those attracted by the gold rush of the 1860s, but became a quiet yet prosperous agricultural community after the local deposits were exhausted.